Etihad Airways hosts anti-smoking campaign for staff

Etihad Airways is hosting a week-long anti-smoking campaign among its UAE-based workforce to coincide with World No Tobacco Day which takes place tomorrow (Sunday 31 May).

The campaign activities, which will be run throughout the airline’s
Abu Dhabi offices and accommodation buildings, aim to reduce the number of
smokers within the business by providing education, tools and support to those
who are willing to quit.

The campaign includes carbon monoxide testing for staff as well as
the visit of experts who will support employees who are keen to give-up tobacco
and tobacco related products.

Other activities include an all staff walkathon in support of
employees who wish to quit, ex-smoker support programs and carbon monoxide
reduction competitions.

Dr Nadia Bastaki, Vice President of Medical Services at Etihad
Airways said: “The drive to support people to quit smoking is a key focus for the
Etihad Airways wellness team.

“Smoking is a known cause of cancer, cardiovascular disease, skin
disorders, dental issues and accelerated ageing among many other illnesses and
it is our duty as medical professionals to provide willing employees with the
support to stop smoking for good.”

The anti-smoking campaign is one of many initiated by the Etihad
Airways Medical Centre. Earlier this year the team hosted a general health
wellness day at their Abu Dhabi Headquarters for employees and their families.
Other initiatives include the introduction last year of a staff ambulance
service and travel clinic for those travelling for work purposes and several
free fitness facilities across Abu Dhabi.

The centre, which is regulated by Health
Authority - Abu Dhabi (HAAD) and the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority
(GCAA), was awarded the ‘Clinic of the Year 2013’ by GCAA in recognition of its
status as one the leading aero-medical centres in the UAE. It is located at
Etihad Plaza and staffed by 30 medical experts, including 10 fully-qualified
doctors.